Yes, we know the summer holidays have only just started but we've been beavering away getting ready for the autumn launch for quite some time now. And there's not long to go. You can expect to see some shiny new products trickling on to these pages in a matter of weeks. We can't wait to see (and hear) what you think of them.
In the meantime, we thought you might like to have a glimpse behind the scenes of an average Great Little Trading Co. catalogue shoot. Specifically the Autumn Winter 2018 one which will be popping through your letterboxes towards the middle of September.
Photo shoots tend to take place a few months in advance of the finished catalogue being sent out (and planning starts even earlier), so even though you'll spot a few festive images in the upcoming one, they were actually taken when the weather was at its warmest in June.
While some shots are taken in a studio, we also use real family homes, too - or houses that could pass as real family homes. We look for ones with lots of natural light and with enough room to style all of the lovely products, and for our photography team to be able to easily move around.
And the reason why we choose real family homes? Well, we think that it's important for you, our customers, to be able to see a product and picture what it could look like, and how you would use it, in your own home. We know that not everyone has a huge hallway or space for a dedicated playroom, so we use corners and walls, and parts of everyday living rooms to create as-natural-as-possible family scenarios.
How we do this, is to use a talented photographic stylist. Have a read of our interview with Kerry Scanlan, to find out more about all the preparation and props required for a photo shoot, and how she turns a blank space in to a covetable children's room.
Next, we work with age-approporiate child models to give you an idea of the scale of the products. If you've ever wondered how we get them to pose ... well, we don't. Much. The toys or rooms are set up in advance and for the most part, the children are invited to play or look around, and with only a minimal amount of direction.
That's how the amazing photography team get the best product shots as well as those lovely candid moments of the children jumping on to beds, opening kitchen cupboards, or making friends with stuffed animals!
We hope that you enjoyed taking a look behind the scenes. If you pop over to Instagram, you'll find even more photos and videos from the shoot saved in our Story Highlights.